REPORT OF BUREAU OF HYGIENIC LABORATORY FOR FEBRUARY. WILBUR A. SAWYER, M.D., Director. A rapid increase of rabies among the dogs of San Francisco has occurred during the month of February. A considerable number of people have been bitten and the majority are now undergoing the Pasteur treatment. In order to protect those who are financially unable to secure treatment, the State Hygienic Laboratory is issuing the free government virus for administration by the City Bacteriologist of San Francisco and the physician in charge of the laboratory of the Letterman General Hospital at the Presidio. Through this means the State Board of Health hopes to prevent human deaths from occurring. Nine persons from San Francisco are now under treatment with government virus. Sumary of Examinations Made in the California State Hygienic Laboratory During the Month of February, 1912. Pasteur Treatment for the Prevention of Rabies by the State Hygienic Laboratory During the Month of February, 1912. Laboratory of Sacramento Board of Health, by deputized bacteriologist Laboratory of San Francisco Board of Health, by deputized bacteriologist Laboratory of Los Angeles Board of Health, by deputized bacteriologist Laboratory of Letterman General Hospital, Presidio, by deputized bacteriologist Participation in Instruction in Public Health during February, 1912. Main Laboratory at Berkeley: Bacteriological instruction outfits sent out. Number of models or other pieces of apparatus in above exhibits.. Epidemiological Investigations during February, 1912. Main Laboratory at Berkeley: Field investigations by the Director.. Continuation of investigation of typhoid cases developing on the steamer "Acme." Investigation of epidemic of rabies in San Francisco. REPORT OF BUREAU OF HYGIENIC LABORATORY FOR MARCH. A Typhoid Carrier on Shipboard. On March 19, 1912, an epidemiological investigation of typhoid fever among sailors was completed by the Hygienic Laboratory with the proof that 27 cases of typhoid and four deaths were traceable to a typhoid carrier on board a steam schooner which carried lumber from Eureka to San Francisco. Twenty-six of the cases came, during three and one half years, from the crew of this one ship, which carried only twenty-one men. The carrier was a member of the crew and had had typhoid four years before. He was still discharging virulent bacilli in his excreta. The Secretary and Executive Officer of the State Board of Health have placed the carrier under quarantine. He is voluntarily undergoing treatment for the condition which has resulted in sickness and death among his shipmates. Cases of Hydrophobia. During the month of March portions of brain tissue from two men dying in San Francisco with symptoms of hydrophobia (rabies) were examined at the laboratory. In both cases Negri bodies were found in the ganglion cells of the hippocampus. In one case animals which were inoculated with the tissue developed rabies, in the other case inoculation tests were impossible because the tissue had been sterilized by an embalming process. The tests showed conclusively that the fatal disease was rabies. Both these men were victims of the present epizootic of rabies in San Francisco. Both had been bitten by rabid dogs, one while trying to treat his dying dog, and the other while on the street. A New Branch Laboratory. On March 1, 1912, the Northern Branch of the State Hygienic Laboratory was established by the State Board of Health. It will be located in the Inverness Building in Sacramento and will be under the charge of Dr. F. F. Gundrum. Routine examinations for diphtheria. tuberculosis, and typhoid fever will be made at this branch for the northern counties, excepting the coast counties. Stations for the Administration of the Pasteur Treatment for the Prevention of Rabies. On March 1, 1912, the State Board of Health increased the number of stations at which the free government anti-rabic virus is administered to those unable to pay for it. The list of stations now stands as follows: The Main Laboratory at Berkeley (Dr. W. A. Sawyer), the San Joaquin Valley Branch (Dr. W. W. Cross), the Southern California Branch (Dr. S. P. Black), the Northern California Branch (Dr. F. F. Gundrum), the City Health Department of San Francisco (Dr. W. H. Kellogg), the City Health Department of Los Angeles (Dr. R. B. Durfee), the City Health Department of Sacramento (Dr. E. S. Loizeaux). Summary of Examinations Made in the California State Hygienic Laboratory During the Month of March, 1912. Pasteur Treatment for the Prevention of Rabies by the State Hygienic Laboratory During the Month of March, 1912. Laboratory of Sacramento Board of Health, by deputized bacteriologist Laboratory of San Francisco Board of Health, by deputized bacteriologist Laboratory of Los Angeles Board of Health, by deputized bacteriologist 0 Laboratory of Letterman General Hospital, Presidio, by deputized bacteriologist Participation in instruction in public health during February, 1912. Main Laboratory at Berkeley: Bacteriological instruction outfits sent out.. Exhibits loaned from Hygienic Museum, sent out. Number of models in above exhibit... Exhibits loaned from Hygienic Museum in use. Number of models or other pieces of apparatus in above exhibits.. Epidemiological investigations during March, 1912. Main Laboratory at Berkeley: Field investigations by the Director. Completion of investigation of typhoid cases developing on the steamer "Acme," and detection of a typhoid "carrier" on board this ship. Investigation of a case of human rabies dying in San Francisco on March 9, 1912. Investigation of a case of human rabies dying in San Francisco on March 21, 1912. REPORT OF PURE FOOD AND DRUG LABORATORY FOR MARCH. PROFESSOR M. E. JAFFA, Director. The following food and drug cases were referred to the district attorneys of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland at the meeting of the Board held April 6, 1912: No food or drug hearings were held during the month of March. The next hearings have been set for May 4, 1912. During the summer the Bureau will continue its survey of counties with a view to making a progress report to the Legislature on the actual results of operating the pure food and drug acts in California for five years. There is no doubt that a great deal of good has resulted, but the small number of inspectors available has prevented any rapid changes. The Board, at a recent meeting, adopted a policy of appointing "witness-deputies" in cities and towns having sanitary inspectors but having no special food ordinances or food inspectors. These witnessdeputies are paid by the cities concerned, but work under the direction. of the state food inspectors. It is believed that this arrangement will enable the Board to keep a much larger area under constant supervision. It will also insure uniformity of administration of food and drug control, which is a matter of vital importance to the wholesale merchants and all those engaged in interstate or intercounty business. |